Rodon building confidence year into Majors

CHICAGO — In talking about Carlos Rodon’s first year as a Major League starting pitcher, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper decided to interject his own question into the conversation.

“What’s the difference between those two guys (Chris Sale and Jose Quintana) and Rodon?” Cooper asked.

“Confidence,” was the response.

“No, Not confidence. I think they are all confident,” Cooper said. “It’s strikes. Strikes, period.”

Rodon’s next trip to the mound on Friday in Kansas City marks career start No. 33, a total that sums up one season in a rotation. Over that time, including parts of 2015 and this current campaign, Rodon features an 11-10 record with a 3.98 ERA. He has fanned 186 batters over 185 1/3 innings but also walked 86, a number which lends itself to Cooper’s strike theory.

But there is something to be said for the 23-year-old southpaw gaining confidence in his ability to get out of jams or bounce back from rough starts as he progresses on the mound. It’s true even for a 23-year-old with the immense talent level possessed by …

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